Nutter Butter Chicken Stew

pbutter

pbutterWhat You Need:

1 onion, diced
1 C of white rice
1 2/3 C of chicken broth
1 lb. chicken breasts
1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and sliced
1 1/3 C of milk
4 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 t cayenne pepper
1/2 t of salt
6 T of creamy peanut butter
4 tomatoes, diced
1 sweet potato, cut into cubes
1 (5 oz.) pkg. frozen spinach

How to Make It:

Set the oven temperature to 450 degrees.
Lightly spray the inside and lid of a cast iron Dutch oven with cooking spray.
Place the onions into the bottom of the pan.
Add the rice and broth and stir to combine making a smooth layer of rice and onions over the bottom of the pan.
Place the chicken over the top of the rice mixture.
Top the chicken with the sliced bell peppers.
Place the milk into a mixing bowl.
Add the garlic, cayenne and salt and whisk until blended in.
Whisk in the peanut butter until it the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
Pour the mixture into the pan.
Place the tomatoes and potatoes over the chicken.
Add the spinach.
Cover the pan and bake for 45 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through.

Makes 4 servings

There are many variations to this recipe. Instead of using regular milk use coconut milk and substitute red pepper flakes for the cayenne pepper. Instead of adding rice use a sweet potato or sliced white potato. You can also add tiny shrimp along with the chicken for something a little different.

Preparation Time: approximately 15 minutes
Baking Time: approximately 45 minutes
Total Time: approximately 1 hour

Nutritional Information: (approximate values per serving)
Calories 426; Fat 15g; Carbohydrates 33g; Cholesterol 39 mg; Sodium 626 mg; Protein 27g; Fiber 9g

Cinnamon Nutmeg Sweet Potato Mash

mashed-yams

mashed-yamsWhat You Need:

2 C of water
5 large sweet potatoes, peeled and sliced
1 C of milk
2 t of balsamic vinegar
1 t cinnamon
1/2 t of nutmeg

How to Make It:

Place the trivet into the pressure cooker.
Pour the water over the trivet.
Layer the sweet potatoes onto the trivet.
Bring the pressure cooker to high pressure and cook the potatoes 8 minutes.
Reduce the pressure quickly under cold water.
Remove the potatoes and place in a serving bowl.
Use a potato masher and mash the cooked potatoes well.
Pour the milk and vinegar over the potatoes and stir until blended in well.
Sprinkle with the cinnamon and nutmeg stirring to blend in well.

If you want something a little different from regular mashed potatoes this is the recipe you need to use. Be sure to check the directions for your brand and size of cooker when adding water as it might require a little less than what the recipe calls for.

Makes 4 servings

Fiesta Flavored Sweet Potatoes

sweetpotato

sweetpotatoWhat You Need:

4 sweet potatoes
1 jalapeno pepper
4 scallions, trimmed
1 tbsp olive oil
4 tbsp butter
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 C Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

How to Make It:

The grill is preheated to medium hot temperature.
Scrub the potatoes and wrap tightly with foil.
Place the potatoes on the grill, close the lid and grill for 45 minutes or until tender being sure to turn them occasionally for even cooking
Grill the peppers 10 minutes or until blackened.
Remove the peppers and allow them to steam in a sealed plastic bag for 10 minutes.
Brush the scallions with the oil and grill for 8 minutes, turning often, or until tender.
Take the peppers from the bag, peel and remove the seeds.
In a small bowl finely chop the peppers and scallions and mix to combine.
Unwrap the potatoes partially and cut a large slit in each potato.
With a fork fluff the potato flesh.
Add 1 tbsp butter, 1/8 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp pepper to each potato.
Fill each potato with the pepper scallion mixture.
Place 1/8 C of the cheese on top of each of the potatoes.
Return the potatoes to the grill for 15 minutes or until the cheese has melted.

Easter Sweet Potato Salad

easterboquetWhat You Need:

6 C fresh sweet potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 C mayonnaise
1/2 C brown sugar, firmly packed
1 C pecans, toasted and chopped
1/2 C raisins

How to Make It:

Cover the sweet potatoes well with water in a saucepan.
Position the pan over medium heat and bring the water to a brisk boil.
Adjust the heat to low and cook the potatoes 10 minutes or until tender.
Drain the potatoes, transfer to a serving bowl and let them cool 5 minutes.
Place the mayonnaise and brown sugar into a small bowl.
Whisk until the sugar is incorporated into the mayonnaise well.
Stir in the pecans until well combined.
Add the raisins and stir to incorporate.
Stir the dressing into the cubed potatoes.
Cover and chill at least one hour or until completely chilled through.

Serves: 8

Toasting pecan is a very simple task. Place pecan halves on a cookie sheet. Place them in a preheated 350 degree oven for about 6 minutes. Be sure to stir the pecans often so they do not stick and so they brown evenly. Remove the pecans and let them cool. Use a chopper to chop the pecans to desired consistency.

Sweet Potato Tea Bread

What You Need:

1 C of flour
1/2 t baking soda
1/4 t salt
1/2 t pumpkin pie spice
1 C cold sweet potatoes, mashed
1/2 C sugar
3 T canola oil
2 T of buttermilk
1 t vanilla extract
1 large egg

How to Make It:

Place the oven temperature at 350 degrees.
Use a cooking spray to lightly spray a loaf pan then dust lightly with flour.
Sift the flour and baking soda together into a large bowl.
Whisk the salt and pumpkin spice into the mixture until well blended.
Use a separate bowl and mix together the sweet potatoes and sugar.
Add the oil and buttermilk and mix until well combined.
Pour in the vanilla and blend in well.
Add the egg and whisk the mixture until all the ingredients are combined well.
Add the sweet potato mixture to the flour mixture and blend just until the dry ingredients have become moist.
Transfer the batter into the loaf pan.
Place in the oven for 28 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool the bread on a wire rack in the pan for 10 minutes then invert onto the water rack and continue cooling for 1 hour before slicing.

Serves: 1 loaf

This bread is quite moist because of the mashed sweet potatoes. If you are not fond of sweet potatoes add pumpkin puree in place of them.